Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State celebrated his three-year anniversary in office with a solemn pontifical Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Awka, the state capital.
The Mass was officiated by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, Cardinal Peter Okpalaeke and featured a vibrant expression of gratitude, with prayers and hymns reflecting on the progress made in the state during his tenure.
It featured a homily from the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Kukah, who extolled gratitude to God and reminded the congregation that public office was a sacred contract.
He praised Governor Soludo for his achievements in education, health, and infrastructure, asserting that the governor has no excuse not to succeed given the opportunities provided to him.
He also urged the governor to compete only with himself and always remember the needy.
“Serving as a governor, senator, or bishop is a sacred contract with both God and the electorate. It is a form of stewardship, where one is entrusted with duties that demand accountability to the people and adherence to personal principles.
“I am from Kaduna State, but I must admit that I am jealous of the progress in Anambra. You have consistently had governors who leave their unique mark in terms of good governance.
“Anambra is a state with great men and women like Cardinal Francis Arinze, late Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, late Dr Alex Ekwueme and many others. And I’m happy that Gov. Soludo is consolidating on the gains.I have seen some of the projects by Gov. Soludo and I commend him. These are projects that will improve the quality of life of the people.”
The Bishop prayed for God’s favour and blessings on Anambra and Nigeria.
Divine Journey
Governor Soludo described his three years in office as a divine journey, recalling the promises made upon his assumption of office and noting that significant strides have been made toward realising his administration’s manifesto.
He emphasised his core principle of “one state, one people, one agenda,” driven by empathy, compassion, and the immediate needs of the citizens.
Highlighting key focus areas, Governor Soludo reiterated his administration’s dedication to educational reforms, youth empowerment, road infrastructure development, and healthcare enhancement, all aimed at boosting local businesses and fostering job creation across the state.
“I express my gratitude to the Almighty God because it is a journey ordained by God. Tomorrow, March 17, we will be three years in office. Three years ago, we applied for this job and you employed us based on trust. Looking back on the promises we made, it is fair to say so far, so good.
“We have commissioned over 750 kilometers of roads, with more than 400km already completed. Additionally, we have recruited over 8,000 teachers and rehabilitated public schools to enhance the education sector.
“We achieved remarkable progress in youth empowerment, agriculture, security, and the health sector. Today, Anambra is leading in health in Nigeria.
We have done all these without borrowing one kobo in three years.
My goal is to transform the state into the Dubai, Taiwan, and Silicon Valley of Africa, leveraging its abundant resources and exceptional human capital.
“We still have one more year left in this tenure, and I want to assure you that we will continue working diligently every single day to fulfill the promises we made to you. So far, we are on track to laying the foundations for realising the Anambra of our dreams,” Governor Soludo said.
Earlier, the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, welcomed all attendees to the high Mass.
The event also saw participation from notable figures such as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Sly Ezeokenwa; former Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba; and the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, alongside other state officials, traditional rulers, and representatives from various sectors.
Reacting after the holy service, representative of Ihiala Federal Constituency, Mr Agbodike Paschal expressed confidence in Soludo’s leadership, describing his administration as “youth o’clock” due to its impacts on young people through initiatives like the “I Youth 2 Skills” program.
He commended the governor for his achievements and urged the people of Anambra to collaborate with government efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
Additionally, industrialist Sir Emeka Offor recognised Governor Soludo’s transformation of Anambra into an investor-friendly hub and called for collective support to consolidate his vision for the state.
The event attracted a diverse assembly of dignitaries, government officials, clergymen, and local community members, affirming the governor’s commitment to melding religious and cultural values in his leadership approach.
Confidence Okwuchi
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